18 August Exclusive Current Affairs for BPSC

Context

Recent satellite images have highlighted a major oil spill threat near Qeshm Island, Iran, putting the Hara mangrove forests at serious ecological risk.

What are Hara Mangrove Forests?

• Hara forests are mangrove ecosystems located in the Persian Gulf region, especially around Qeshm Island, Iran.
• They extend across the Strait of Hormuz.
• Dominant species: Grey Mangrove — Avicennia marina.
• These mangroves possess a specialised root filtration system that allows them to survive in highly saline water.

Ecological Importance

• Protect coastlines from erosion.
• Act as significant carbon sinks.
• Serve as nurseries for:
  • Shrimp
  • Crabs
  • Fish species
• Support local fisheries and food chains.
• Important habitat for migratory birds such as:
  • Great stone-curlew
  • Various species of herons
• Support the livelihoods of coastal communities.

UNESCO Significance

• The Hara forests form part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• They represent an important natural ecosystem of the Persian Gulf.

Qeshm Island

• Qeshm is an Iranian island in the Persian Gulf.
• Hara mangroves are an important component of the island’s sustainable tourism.
• Their maze-like waterways attract visitors and support local livelihoods.

Current Environmental Threat

A major oil spill off the southern coast of Qeshm Island has placed the mangroves at risk.

Key Facts

• Source identified in the article: bulk carrier Minoan Pioneer.
• The vessel reportedly began leaking heavy fuel oil after being struck by a projectile.
• Oil slick length: approximately 160 km.
• Oil has already started reaching the coastline.
• Conflict in West Asia is obstructing cleanup operations.

Why Oil Spills are Dangerous for Mangroves

Oil can:

• Coat mangrove roots and interfere with gas exchange.
• Damage seedlings and marine organisms.
• Contaminate fish and crustacean habitats.
• Disrupt the local food chain.
• Reduce natural coastal protection.
• Cause long-term damage because oil can remain trapped in mangrove sediments.

Strait of Hormuz — Static Link

• Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
• One of the world's most strategically important maritime passages.
• Located between Iran and the Musandam Peninsula of Oman.
• Important route for global petroleum and LNG transportation.

Exam Takeaway

Hara Forests = Iran + Qeshm Island + Persian Gulf/Strait of Hormuz + Avicennia marina + Mangrove ecosystem + UNESCO Biosphere Reserve + Oil-spill vulnerability.

High-Yield Facts

• Location: Qeshm Island, Iran
• Region: Persian Gulf / Strait of Hormuz
• Dominant mangrove: Avicennia marina
• Importance: Coastal protection, carbon storage, fisheries, migratory birds
• Recognition: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Current threat: Oil spill
• Reported oil slick: ~160 km

Context

The Government of India is preparing to accelerate the development of inland waterways, with more than a dozen new National Waterways (NWs) likely to be developed over the next 5–10 years.

• Estimated investment: over ₹10,000 crore
• Objective: expand India’s operational inland-waterway network and achieve Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 targets ahead of schedule.

Key Targets

Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

• Target: More than 50 National Waterways capable of handling cargo and passenger traffic.
• Cargo movement target:
  • 200 million tonnes (mt) by 2030
  • 500 mt by 2047

Progress

Cargo movement on National Waterways increased from:

• 29 mt in 2014-15
• to 218 mt in 2025-26

This represents:

• Nearly 8-fold growth
• CAGR: 20.13%
• The 2030 target of 200 mt has already been surpassed in FY26.

Expansion Plan

• Centre has identified 19 additional waterways.
• Initially focused mainly on:
  • Cruise tourism
  • Passenger ferry services
• Some may later be upgraded for cargo movement.
• Selection is based on:
  • Techno-economic feasibility studies
  • Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)

National Waterways Act, 2016

Under the National Waterways Act, 2016:

• 111 inland waterways have been declared National Waterways.
• Total coverage: about 20,187 km
• Spread across:
  • 23 States
  • 4 Union Territories

Operational Waterways

• Only 32 waterways are currently operational.
• Operational navigable length: 5,155 km
• Used for both:
  • Cargo
  • Passenger movement

Shift in Government Strategy

The focus is moving from simply declaring waterways to developing them as comprehensive economic corridors. Waterways are proposed to be linked with:

• Industrial clusters
• Freight terminals
• Ports
• Roads
• Railways

Key Principle

Commercial viability + end-to-end connectivity + first/last-mile connectivity will determine the success of inland waterways.

Cargo Concentration

Nearly 85% of existing cargo traffic is concentrated on only four major waterways:

1. NW-1 — Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System
2. NW-91 — Shastri River-Jaigad Creek System
3. NW-100 — Tapi River
4. NW-10 — Amba River

This highlights the need to develop other commercially viable corridors rather than expanding all waterways uniformly.

Supporting Infrastructure

Pandu, Assam

• Ship repair facility nearing completion.

Varanasi and Patna

• Similar ship-repair facilities are planned.

Varanasi Freight Village

• 70-acre freight village being developed.
• Developer: National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML)
• NHLML is a subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• Aim: develop a multimodal logistics hub.

Jalvahak Scheme

• Launched: December 2024
• Objective: encourage cargo shift from road/rail to inland waterways.
• Incentive: up to 35% of actual operating expenditure.
• Applicable on:
  • NW-1
  • NW-2 — Brahmaputra
  • NW-16 — Barak
• Cargo can also move through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.

Why Inland Waterways Matter

• Lower-cost freight transport
• Reduced road congestion
• Lower logistics costs
• Potentially lower emissions
• Better integration of ports, industry and hinterland
• Supports tourism and passenger transport
• Strengthens multimodal logistics

Key Challenge

Experts caution against trying to develop all 111 waterways simultaneously. The emphasis should be on: identifying + prioritising + scaling commercially viable waterways with strong road/rail/port connectivity.

Exam Takeaway

111 NWs declared → 32 operational → 20,187 km total network → 5,155 km operational → 218 mt cargo in FY26 → 200 mt target achieved early → 500 mt target by 2047.

High-Yield Facts

• Act: National Waterways Act, 2016
• Declared NWs: 111
• Operational: 32
• Cargo in FY26: 218 mt
• 2030 target: 200 mt
• 2047 target: 500 mt
• Jalvahak Scheme: launched December 2024
• Incentive: up to 35% of operating expenditure
• Major cargo waterways: NW-1, NW-91, NW-100, NW-10

Context

The Bihar government is moving towards preparing a separate Research & Development (R&D) Budget to promote a more knowledge-, technology- and innovation-driven development model in the State. A workshop on the subject was organised at Bapu Tower, Gardanibagh, Patna.

Organisers

The workshop was organised by:

• Finance Department, Government of Bihar
• Bihar Institute of Public Finance and Policy (BIPFP)

Main Objective

The initiative seeks to move Bihar beyond the traditional expenditure-based development model and towards a development framework based on:

• Research
• Knowledge
• Technology
• Innovation
• Evidence-based policymaking

Proposed R&D Budget Framework

Under the proposed system:

• Research and development components already present in different departmental schemes will be identified separately.
• Expenditure related to R&D will be classified and allocated on the basis of its share in departmental programmes.
• Research and innovation will be given a more institutional place within the State’s fiscal framework.
• The government will be able to track how much public expenditure is actually being directed towards R&D.

Experience of Other States

The workshop also discussed models adopted by other States.

• Kerala: Initiated the R&D budgeting process from 2023-24.
• Punjab: Initiated the process from 2025-26.
• According to the report, Bihar is preparing to become the third State in India to introduce a separate R&D budget.

Sectors Likely to Benefit

The R&D budgeting framework can support innovation and research in sectors such as:

• Agriculture
• Health
• Education
• Disaster management
• Industry
• Social welfare
• Technology
• Public policy

Why is a Separate R&D Budget Important?

1. Better Tracking of Research Expenditure

It will help identify and measure how much the government spends specifically on research and innovation.

2. Evidence-Based Policymaking

Research findings and data can be integrated more effectively into public policy and programme design.

3. Promotion of Innovation

Departments can receive clearer financial support for experimentation, technology adoption and innovative solutions.

4. Long-Term Development

It can strengthen Bihar’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

5. Inter-Departmental Integration

R&D activities scattered across different departments can be brought under a more systematic fiscal framework.

Key Officials Mentioned

• Rachna Patil — Secretary (Expenditure) and Director, BIPFP
• Sanjeev Mittal — Additional Secretary

Exam Takeaway

Bihar R&D Budget Initiative = Finance Department + BIPFP + Bapu Tower Workshop + Knowledge & Innovation-Based Development + Kerala Model (2023-24) + Punjab Model (2025-26).

High-Yield Facts

• Venue: Bapu Tower, Gardanibagh, Patna
• Organisers: Bihar Finance Department and BIPFP
• Focus: Separate Research & Development Budget
• Kerala: R&D budgeting process from 2023-24
• Punjab: From 2025-26
• Bihar: Preparing to become the third State, as per the report
• Core idea: Institutionalising research and innovation within the State budgetary framework

Context

Construction of a Milk Powder Plant has begun at the Rohtas Dairy Project, Dehri-on-Sone, an unit of the Shahabad Milk Union, Ara. The project is expected to strengthen milk procurement, processing and dairy-based livelihoods in the Shahabad region of Bihar.

Key Features of the Plant

• Location: Dehri-on-Sone, Rohtas district
• Unit: Rohtas Dairy Project
• Associated milk union: Shahabad Milk Union, Ara
• Milk powder production capacity: 30 metric tonnes per day
• The plant will facilitate:
  • Processing of surplus milk
  • Conversion of milk into milk powder
  • Better preservation and storage
  • Reduction in wastage during periods of excess milk production

Project Inauguration

The project was launched by:

• Nand Kishore Ram — Bihar Minister associated with Industries, Fisheries and Animal Resources, as mentioned in the report
• Dr. Meenesh Shah — Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

Four Districts Expected to Benefit

The plant is expected to particularly benefit dairy farmers in four districts of the Shahabad region:

1. Rohtas
2. Bhojpur
3. Buxar
4. Kaimur

Benefits for Dairy Farmers

The plant can help dairy farmers by:

• Ensuring a more reliable market for milk
• Improving price realisation for milk producers
• Processing surplus milk during periods of high production
• Reducing losses caused by the highly perishable nature of milk
• Strengthening the organised dairy cooperative network

Dairy Cooperatives

According to the report, under the Saat Nischay-3 initiative, more than 3,000 new dairy cooperative societies have been constituted in Bihar during the year. These societies are expected to promote:

• Milk production
• Improved breed rearing
• Livestock development
• Better access to institutional support for dairy farmers

Employment & Rural Economy

The project is expected to generate direct and indirect opportunities in:

• Dairy processing
• Sweet-making industry
• Animal-feed business
• Transportation and logistics
• Small and cottage industries
• Dairy-related self-employment

Thus, the plant can help create a broader dairy-based rural value chain rather than functioning only as a milk-processing facility.

Support for Livestock Farmers

Through dairy cooperative societies, livestock farmers may receive access to:

• Government subsidies
• Livestock insurance
• Institutional support
• Short-term credit for cottage and allied industries

Why Milk Powder Plants are Important

Milk is highly perishable. Converting excess liquid milk into powder: Surplus Milk → Processing → Milk Powder → Longer Shelf Life → Reduced Wastage → Better Farmer Returns It also helps dairy unions balance seasonal fluctuations in milk production and demand.

Static Link — NDDB

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is a key institution associated with the development of India’s organised dairy sector and cooperative dairy movement. It played an important role in the expansion of India’s dairy cooperative model and the White Revolution.

Exam Takeaway

Dehri Milk Powder Plant = Rohtas Dairy Project + Shahabad Milk Union + 30 MT/day capacity + Rohtas, Bhojpur, Buxar & Kaimur + Dairy cooperative expansion.

High-Yield Facts

• Location: Dehri-on-Sone, Rohtas
• Capacity: 30 metric tonnes/day
• Milk Union: Shahabad Milk Union, Ara
• Beneficiary districts: Rohtas, Bhojpur, Buxar and Kaimur
• Key institution: NDDB
• Main objective: Milk processing, preservation, better farmer returns and dairy-sector employment

Context

The Bihar government has decided that crusher plants will now be established at least 2 km away from mining areas. Earlier, crusher plants could be located around 500 metres from mining zones. The decision aims to reduce air pollution, dust, noise and health problems faced by people living near mining areas.

Key Decision

• New minimum distance: 2 km from mining areas
• Earlier distance: 500 metres
• Crusher plants will preferably be located on level/plain land.
• They are to be kept away from:
  • Residential areas
  • Schools
  • Hospitals

Why Has the Distance Been Increased?

Crusher plants generate large quantities of:

• Stone dust
• Silica-containing dust
• Noise from crushing machinery
• Fine particulate matter

Earlier, dust and stone particles often spread into nearby areas and could also affect agricultural land.

Health Concern

Exposure to silica and stone dust can seriously affect the respiratory system and lungs. Continuous operation of crushers also generates substantial noise pollution.

Environmental Benefits

Moving crusher plants farther from mining sites and settlements can help:

• Reduce dust pollution
• Reduce noise pollution
• Protect nearby agricultural land
• Improve environmental conditions around mining zones
• Reduce health risks to nearby communities
• Minimise disturbance around schools and hospitals

Impact on Transport & Logistics

According to the report, shifting crusher plants may also facilitate transportation of:

• Stone aggregates
• Sand
• Stone dust

Once large stones are processed, finished material can be transported directly through the road network to different destinations.

Employment Impact

Locating crusher plants farther from hills and mining sites may require separate processing units for different mining blocks or hill areas. This could potentially create additional local employment in:

• Crusher operations
• Loading and unloading
• Transportation
• Machinery maintenance
• Allied mining services

What is a Crusher Plant?

A crusher plant is an industrial facility where large rocks and stones are mechanically broken into smaller construction materials such as: Rock / Boulder → Crushing → Aggregate / Grit + Sand + Stone Dust

Major Machines Used

1. Vibrating Feeder

• Feeds stones systematically into the crusher.

2. Jaw Crusher

• Performs the primary crushing.
• Breaks large rocks into smaller pieces.

3. Cone / Impact Crusher

• Further reduces stones into smaller aggregates, sand or dust.

4. Vibrating Screen

• Separates crushed material according to particle size.

Government’s Rationale

According to Dr. Prem Kumar, Bihar’s Minister for Mines and Geology, the distance is being increased from 500 metres to 2 km keeping in view:

• Environmental protection
• Pollution control
• Problems faced by nearby residents

Exam Takeaway

Bihar Crusher Plant Policy = Minimum 2 km from mining area + earlier 500 m + dust & noise control + silica exposure reduction + protection of nearby population and farmland.

High-Yield Facts

• State: Bihar
• Sector: Mining & Geology
• New distance: 2 km
• Previous distance: 500 metres
• Main pollutants: Stone dust, silica dust and noise
• Key machinery: Vibrating feeder, jaw crusher, cone/impact crusher, vibrating screen
• Objective: Environmental protection + public health + pollution control

Context

India hosted the BRICS Environment Working Group (EWG) meetings in New Delhi on August 17–18, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. The meetings were organised under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026.

Theme of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026

“Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The environmental meetings focused on strengthening cooperation among BRICS countries on:

• Climate change
• Sustainable development
• Circular economy
• Forest and wildfire management
• Disaster resilience
• Sustainable lifestyles

Major Meetings

August 17

• Senior Officers’ Meeting of the Environment Working Group
• Meeting of the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development

August 18

• 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting

The Environment Ministers’ Meeting was to be presided over by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

BRICS Environment Working Group

• Established in 2015
• Created during the first BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting
• Venue of first meeting: Moscow

Objectives

• Address major environmental priorities
• Exchange experiences
• Share best practices
• Strengthen collective environmental action among BRICS countries

Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development

• Established in 2024
• Purpose: provide an institutional mechanism for cooperation among BRICS members on:
  • Climate change
  • Sustainable development
  • Related policy coordination

India’s Four Priority Areas

Under its BRICS Chairship, India identified four priority areas for the Environment Working Group:

1. Sustainable Lifestyles

Promoting environmentally responsible consumption and sustainable living practices.

2. Afforestation, Forest Fire Management & Disaster Resilience

Focus on:

• Forest restoration
• Wildfire prevention and management
• Building resilience against environmental disasters

3. Circular Economy

Promoting:

• Resource efficiency
• Waste reduction
• Reuse and recycling
• Sustainable production and consumption

4. Adaptation to Climate Change

Strengthening adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability to climate-related risks.

Other Issues Discussed

India had also organised virtual meetings, technical sessions, webinars and dialogues between March and July 2026 on:

• Resource efficiency
• Circular economy
• Alignment of carbon markets with adaptation goals
• Land degradation
• Desertification
• Drought
• Integrated wildfire management
• Disaster resilience

Significance

The meetings provide a platform for:

• Environment ministers
• Senior government officials
• Policymakers
• Experts

to build consensus and strengthen BRICS environmental cooperation. The ministerial meeting was also expected to discuss an outcome document reflecting collective commitments on sustainable development and environmental protection.

Exam Takeaway

BRICS Environment Working Group = Established in 2015 + first Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Moscow + India Chairship 2026 + Bharat Mandapam + four priorities: sustainable lifestyles, forests/disaster resilience, circular economy, climate adaptation.

High-Yield Facts

• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Dates: August 17–18, 2026
• Chairship: India
• Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
• EWG established: 2015
• Contact Group established: 2024
• Ministerial meeting: 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting
• Key minister: Bhupender Yadav
• Core areas: Sustainability + forests + circular economy + climate adaptation

Context

The Union government has informed the Lok Sabha that there is currently no proposal from Karnataka seeking Environmental Clearance (EC) for any river diversion project involving the Mahadayi River. The issue is linked mainly with Karnataka’s Kalasa Nala Diversion Scheme.

Key Government Clarification

• No proposal seeking Environmental Clearance (EC) for diversion of the Mahadayi River is presently under consideration before the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The clarification was given by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• It was in response to a question raised by Captain Viriato Fernandes, MP from South Goa.

Kalasa Nala Diversion Scheme

The project is associated with Karnataka’s proposal to divert water from the Mahadayi basin. A major environmental issue concerns the proposed use of:

• 10.6852 hectares of forest land

for the Kalasa Nala Diversion Scheme.

Wildlife Clearance Issue

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has not approved Karnataka’s proposal to use the above forest land.

Why is the area sensitive?

The proposed land lies in a tiger corridor between:

• Kali Tiger Reserve
• Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Therefore, the project has implications for:

• Wildlife movement
• Forest fragmentation
• Tiger habitat connectivity
• Biodiversity conservation

Environmental Studies Not Submitted

According to the Centre, the concerned State governments have not submitted proposals or river-basin details for:

1. Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA)

Evaluates the combined environmental impact of multiple projects and activities in a region or river basin rather than considering each project separately.

2. Carrying Capacity Study (CCS)

Assesses how much developmental or ecological pressure a region can sustain without serious environmental degradation.

Concerns Raised by Goa

Civil society groups, scientific institutions and experts have raised concerns that diversion of Mahadayi waters could affect:

• Goa’s drinking water security
• Freshwater availability
• River ecology
• Freshwater aquifers
• Risk of saline ingress into the river system

Karnataka’s Position

Officials in Karnataka have reportedly argued that Environmental Clearance may not be relevant for a drinking-water project. This reflects the continuing difference in interpretation and interests between Karnataka and Goa over the project.

Mahadayi River — Static Link

The Mahadayi is an inter-State river of the Western Ghats and is central to a long-running water-sharing dispute involving:

• Goa
• Karnataka
• Maharashtra

It is also known as the Mandovi River in Goa.

Why the Mahadayi Basin is Ecologically Important

The basin is associated with the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats. Major concerns include:

• Forest conservation
• Wildlife corridors
• Riverine ecosystems
• Water security
• Inter-State water sharing
• Ecological impact of diversion projects

Exam Takeaway

Mahadayi issue = Karnataka–Goa water dispute + Kalasa Nala Diversion Scheme + 10.6852 ha forest land + NBWL clearance pending + Kali–Sahyadri tiger corridor + concerns over drinking water, saline ingress and ecology.

High-Yield Facts

• River: Mahadayi / Mandovi
• States involved: Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra
• Project: Kalasa Nala Diversion Scheme
• Forest land involved: 10.6852 hectares
• Wildlife authority: National Board for Wildlife
• Sensitive zone: Corridor between Kali and Sahyadri Tiger Reserves
• Studies mentioned: CIA and CCS
• Present status in article: No EC proposal under consideration by the Union Environment Ministry